Alcohol in medicines

Abstract: Liquid herbal remedies which contain alcohol or, more precisely ethanol are at present submitted to heavy criticism due to possible health risks. Thus the classical drug preparations such as fluid extracts and tinctures being the most common basic and effective components of herbal liquid remedies are questioned. In the market »alcohol-free« preparations are more and more offered and advertised. This article reviews the regulatory and pharmaceutical arguments concerning the presence of ethanol in herbal liquid preparations. From a list of safety-relevant facts it is established, that by considering the present legal regulations of ethanol in remedies no risks can arise. Concerning preparations of drugs containing volatile oils it is demonstrated, that ethanol-free preparations can be produced but that they represent new preparations, the efficacy and safety of which have to be assessed. The assumption that ethanol-substitutes have a lower risk than ethanol is discussed for propylene glycol. For this, mostly used, substitute a number of serious toxicological incidents and of biological effects have been described. Further the metabolism of propylene glycol has not yet been cleared up sufficiently. In the opinion of the author, at present, risks arising from a broad use of propylene glycol can not be reliably excluded. There is a warning of sacrificing well-tried preparations at the expense of a trend which could at the worst prove to be the wrong way.

Keyword(s): Fluid extracts

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